| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 682014 | Bioresource Technology | 2011 | 6 Pages |
Propionic acid production by Propionibacterium freudenreichii from molasses and waste propionibacterium cells was studied in plant fibrous-bed bioreactor (PFB). With non-treated molasses as carbon source, 12.69 ± 0.40 g l–1 of propionic acid was attained at 120 h in free-cell fermentation, whereas the PFB fermentation yielded 41.22 ± 2.06 g l–1 at 120 h and faster cells growth was observed. In order to optimize the fermentation outcomes, fed-batch fermentation was performed with hydrolyzed molasses in PFB, giving 91.89 ± 4.59 g l–1 of propionic acid at 254 h. Further studies were carried out using hydrolyzed waste propionibacterium cells as substitute nitrogen source, resulting in a propionic acid concentration of 79.81 ± 3.99 g l–1 at 302 h. The present study suggests that the low-cost molasses and waste propionibacterium cells can be utilized for the green and economical production of propionic acid by P. freudenreichii.
► We designed a plant fibrous-bed bioreactor using bagasse as immobilized carrier. ► Cane molasses hydrolysate was used as carbon source. ► Hydrolyzed waste propionibacterium cells were used as nitrogen source. ► Green and economical production of propionic acid was realized.
